Our Mission and Mode of Operation
Stichting Turfvrij aims to end the use of peat in the Netherlands. Such a step would be a major milestone in the global protection of peat bogs.
How Do We Do That?
🔝 Top-down: through lobbying work, the peat convenant and conversations with the government and industry.
🔻 Bottom-up: with campaigns, training, education, workshops and presentations.
🌱 Projects and successes: we show that change is possible and that it is already happening.
This is how we enable change, step by step. From the conference table to the vegetable garden, from parliamentary debates to garden center shelves.
Top-down: Lobby Work And The Peat Convenant
Inspired by the British peat-free movement, Karin wrote an article in Het Parool... followed by a radio interview for Vroege Vogels. Soon after came a parliamentary enquiry from the PvdD. The enquiry made a direct reference to the radio interview. We contacted the members of Parliament Derk Boswijk (CDA) and Laura Bromet (GroenLinks) ourselves.. They together handed in a motion on the possibility of a peat ban. The motion was passed by a large majority of 80%.
Following this motion, we sat down with various parties and stakeholders from the business community and the government, which ultimately resulted in the peat covenant (Convenant Milieu Impact Potgrond en Substraten sources, Convenant LinkedIn page) has emerged: an agreement to gradually reduce the use of peat.
Stichting Turfvrij is the only NGO involved in the peat covenant. We participate in both the Steering Committee and the Expert Group.
The Steering Committee plays a central role in the implementation and communication of the covenant. It meets at least twice a year to discuss progress, funding, and potential additional actions.
The Expert Group consists of parties that contribute specific knowledge and expertise, for example in innovation, responsible peat management, research, resource reuse, and consumer education. They advise and support the transition but do not play a decisive role in achieving the core objectives of the covenant.
As an independent NGO, we primarily bring a critical perspective: we ensure that facts and scientific knowledge form the basis of the discussion, we safeguard the public interest, and we don't hesitate to state our position firmly and clearly. In this way, we contribute to a transparent, fair, and ambitious path toward a peat-free future.
